Jubilee Metals Group has secured a three-year Solar PPA with Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company, securing a reliable and competitively priced power supply for its operations in Zambia.
The agreement also gives Jubilee the option to acquire additional solar power at a significant discount to support its future expansion.
The Importance of the Solar PPA
Jubilee Metals Group has taken a significant step toward securing its energy future by signing a three-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC) in Zambia. This agreement will meet the power needs for Jubilee’s key operations in the country.
Jubilee Metals signs a three-year PPA with Lunsemfwa Hydro Power for reliable energy, with an option for discounted solar power
The Solar PPA with LHPC is a critical part of Jubilee’s strategy to ensure a reliable power supply for its Roan concentrator facility and Sable refinery. Effective September 1, the agreement provides Jubilee with consistent and competitively priced power.
The agreement also includes an option for Jubilee to secure an additional 10 MW of solar-generated power at a significant discount of over 30% from the initial PPA rates. This provision is particularly valuable, giving the company the flexibility to scale its energy consumption to match its operational expansion.
Meeting Current and Future Energy Needs
Jubilee’s CEO, Leon Coetzer, emphasized the PPA’s importance for securing a reliable power supply, noting that previous shortages at the Roan and Sable operations had impacted production. This agreement is designed to resolve those issues by ensuring continuous energy availability.
The optional 10 MW of solar power, which can be scaled further, will help meet the company’s growing power demands.
This PPA is crucial as Jubilee targets a significant expansion of its copper processing capacity to 25,000 tonnes per year. Achieving this goal requires the kind of stable and reliable power supply that the agreement provides. Coetzer reiterated that securing a reliable power source is vital to the success of Jubilee’s Zambian copper strategy.
LHPC’s Role and Contribution
LHPC, an independent power producer in Zambia, is a pivotal partner in this PPA. As a key player in the Southern Africa Power Pool, the company operates two hydropower plants in Zambia’s Central province and is actively expanding its renewable energy portfolio.
As part of the agreement, LHPC is building a 20 MW solar plant. The power supplied will come from an integrated solar and hydro-storage facility, expected to be operational within 12 months, which will further solidify the reliability of the energy supply.
Using renewable energy sources like solar and hydropower is becoming standard practice for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Jubilee’s partnership with LHPC demonstrates a proactive approach to environmental responsibility, showing the company is focused not only on operational expansion but also on taking meaningful steps toward sustainability.
This PPA represents a positive step toward a more sustainable energy future. As more companies like Jubilee prioritize renewable energy, the transition to a greener economy becomes more attainable. The agreement is not just about business; it’s about creating a sustainable path forward for both the industry and the environment.
